[Prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in Tokyo--from field investigation in 1996 by Tokyo Japanese Cedar Pollen Allergy Measurements and Review Committee]

Prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen was investigated by means of questionnaires and immunological examinations in residents of 3 regions in Tokyo (Akiruno city, Chofu city, and Ota ward). The results were as follows: 1) the prevalence rate of allergy to Japanese cedar pollen in Tokyo was 25.7% in Akiruno city, 21.1% in Chofu city, and 17.7% in Ota ward in 1996; 2) stratification by the age reveal that the prevalence rate was the highest in the age group of 30 to 44, and the group showed prevalence rate of above 40% in Akiruno city; 3) overall prevalence rate of Tokyo was 19.4% in 1996, which was approximately twice as much as that in 1985; 4) increase in prevalence rate in the recent decade was most significant in Akiruno city where the largest number of Japanese cedar pollen was detected in the air, and prevalence rate tended to rise in the young group of 14 or less.

Autolysosomal membrane-associated betaine homocysteine methyltransferase. Limited degradation fragment of a sequestered cytosolic enzyme monitoring autophagy

We compared the membrane proteins of autolysosomes isolated from leupeptin-administered rat liver with those of lysosomes. In addition to many polypeptides common to the two membranes, the autolysosomal membranes were found to be more enriched in endoplasmic reticulum lumenal proteins (protein-disulfide isomerase, calreticulin, ER60, BiP) and endosome/Golgi markers (cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, transferrin receptor, Golgi 58-kDa protein) than lysosomal membranes. The autolysosomal membrane proteins include three polypeptides (44, 35, and 32 kDa) whose amino-terminal sequences have not yet been reported. Combining immunoblotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses, we identified the 44-kDa peptide as the intact subunit of betaine homocysteine methyltransferase and the 35- and 32-kDa peptides as two proteolytic fragments. Pronase digestion of autolysosomes revealed that the 44-kDa and 32-kDa peptides are present in the lumen, whereas the 35-kDa peptide is not. In primary hepatocyte cultures, the starvation-induced accumulation of the 32-kDa peptide occurs in the presence of E64d, showing that the 32-kDa peptide is formed from the sequestered 44-kDa peptide during autophagy. The accumulation is induced by rapamycin but completely inhibited by wortmannin, 3-methyladenine, and bafilomycin. Thus, detection of the 32-kDa peptide by immunoblotting can be used as a streamlined assay for monitoring autophagy.

Differential involvement of mu-opioid receptor subtypes in endomorphin-1- and -2-induced antinociception

We investigated the role of mu-opioid receptor subtypes in both endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 induced antinociception in mice using supraspinally mediated behavior. With tail pressure as a mechanical noxious stimulus, both intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) and intrathecally (i.t.) injected-endomorphins produced potent and significant antinociceptive activity. Antinociception induced by i.t. and i.c.v. injection of endomorphin-1 was not reversed by pretreatment with a selective mu1-opioid receptor antagonist, naloxonazine (35 mg/kg, s.c.). By contrast, antinociception induced by i.t. and i.c.v. endomorphin-2 was significantly decreased by mu1-opioid receptor antagonist. Antinociception of both i.t. and i.c.v. endomorphin-1 and -2 was completely reversed by pretreatment with beta-funaltrexamine (40 mg/kg, s.c.). The results indicate that endomorphins may produce antinociception through the distinct mu1 and mu2 subtypes of mu-opioid receptor.

Proteolipid protein gene duplications causing Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: molecular mechanism and phenotypic manifestations

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease (PMD) is an X-linked disorder characterized by dysmyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) caused by mutations involving the proteolipid protein gene (PLP). In addition to point and frameshift mutations in the coding region, duplications involving the entire PLP have been recognized recently as a major genetic abnormality causing PMD. We devised an interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay to establish an efficient screening test for PLP duplication. Thirteen patients from 11 Japanese PMD families were determined to have PLP duplications. This molecular diagnostic FISH test also readily detected female carriers. Molecular analysis revealed that the size of the duplication and location of the breakpoints showed striking variation. Fiber FISH demonstrated that the duplication is tandem in nature. Haplotype analysis indicated an intrachromosomal origin for the duplication. These results suggest that an unequal sister chromatid exchange in male meiosis is likely to be the major mechanism leading to the formation of the duplication. Patients with the duplication commonly present with a mild PMD phenotype. Two patients with an exceptionally severe clinical phenotype carried large duplications, suggesting that either the larger duplicated segment incorporates additional dosage-sensitive genes or that the location of the duplication junction may affect the phenotype.

[Marked thrombocytopenia after high-dose intravenous gamma globulin in a pregnant woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]

A 35-year-old pregnant woman had thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 6.3 x 10(4)/microliter. After her third normal delivery, peripheral blood studies revealed that the patient had a normal Hb concentration and leukocyte count, with mild thrombocytopenia. A diagnosis of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) was made based on the high megakaryocyte count of 338/microliter and PAIgG of 40.8 ng/10(7) cells in January 1995. The patient was followed without treatment. She was 9 weeks pregnant on June 7, 1996, and desired an abortion. Her platelet count was 6.3 x 10(4)/microliter, leukocyte count 8,600/microliter, and Hb 13.7 g/dl at the time. She was given high-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (Globenin-I) at 400 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days. The platelet count was found to have decreased markedly, to 0.9 x 10(4)/microliter on June 11. The percentage reduction in the Hb concentration, leukocyte count, and platelet count after gammaglobulin treatment was 11.7%, 46.6%, and 85.8%, respectively. The PAIgG titer had increased to 181.2 ng/10(7) cells on June 17, but hypergammaglobulinemia was suspected. The patient was started on prednisolone on June 24, and an abortion was performed on July 29. The mechanism of thrombocytopenia after infusion of Globenin-I was unknown. We suspect that Globenin-I treated with polyethylene glycol was one of the possible causes of myelosuppression in this case.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in central serous chorioretinopathy

PURPOSE

To describe the plasma level of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, the major antifibrinolytic agent, in eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy, in which choroidal thrombosis is suspected as the underlying condition based on the findings of choroidal hyperpermeability in indocyanine green angiograms.

METHODS

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 concentrations in the plasma of 17 patients with central serous chorioretinopathy were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared with those in 12 age-matched normal volunteers.

RESULTS

The plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy (range, 25 to 439 ng/ml; median, 87 ng/ml) were significantly increased compared with those in normal volunteers (range, 7 to 84 ng/ml; median, 36 ng/ml) (P = .0013, Mann-Whitney U test).

CONCLUSION

Increased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 concentrations in patients with central serous chorioretinopathy support the hypothesis that the choroidal hyperpermeability disclosed by indocyanine green angiography is caused from impaired fibrinolysis and the resulting thrombotic occlusion in the choroidal veins.

Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease: three novel mutations and implication for locus heterogeneity

We report a mutational and polymorphic analysis of the proteolipid protein gene in members of 27 Japanese families with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. We found causative mutations in 6 members of 27 families (22.2%); 5 of the 6 mutations, including two novel mutations, Leu45Arg and 231 + 2T --> G, resulted in the typically severe clinical symptoms. Paradoxically, the Cys219Tyr mutation, presumed to disrupt the tertiary structure of proteolipid protein by removing the disulfide bond between Cys200 and Cys219, was associated with a mild clinical presentation wherein the patient could walk with assistance and speak. It was inferred that the structural change prevented the toxicity associated with a gain of function mutation. Moreover, in one family 3 patients exhibited a intragenic polymorphism that did not segregate with the disease, suggesting a locus heterogeneity for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease.

Identification of multidrug resistant protein 1 of mouse leukemia P388 cells on a PVDF membrane using 6-aminoquinolyl-carbamyl (AQC)-amino acid analysis and World Wide Web (WWW)-accessible tools

Multidrug resistant protein 1 (MDR1) in a doxorubicin-resistant mouse leukemia cell line (P388/DOX) was identified using its amino acid composition combined with protein database searching (ExPASy and EMBL PROPSEARCH) via the World Wide Web. The proteins were separated by one-dimensional SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, blotted onto a polyvinylidene fluoride membrane, and stained with Coomassie brilliant blue. A 160-kDa protein band was acid-hydrolyzed in the vapor phase (6 N HC1) and converted to 6-aminoquinolyl-carbamyl (AQC)-amino acids without extraction of the amino acids from the membrane. The amino acid composition of the protein was determined using the sensitive AQC-amino acid analysis method, improving our previously described method. The improved method involved using a Cosmosil 5C8-MS column instead of a Pegasil C8; replacement of the mobile phase A, constituent, 75 mM ammonium phosphate (pH 7.5), with 30 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.2); and slight modification of the separation program (9). All manipulations for protein hydrolysis and AQC derivatization were carried out in a hood using clean tools. This minimized contamination of amino acids at the low femtomolar level. A database search was carried out with bovine serum albumin as a calibration protein. MDR1 in P388/DOX was ranked first by both databases with high reliability (score 14 for ExPASy, distance 1.34 for EMBL).

p-Aminobenzamidine-sensitive acrosomal protease(s) other than acrosin serve the sperm penetration of the egg zona pellucida in mouse

It has been reported that a significant delay in protein dispersal from the acrosomal matrix is observed in wild-type sperm by adding p-aminobenzamidine, a trypsin/acrosin inhibitor, to the incubation medium. The pattern of this delayed release was similar to that of the acrosin-deficient mutant mouse sperm (Yamagata et al., J. Biol. Chem., 273, 10470-4, 1998). In the present study, no further delay in protein dispersal was found when the acrosin-deficient sperm were treated with p-aminobenzamidine, indicating that among the p-aminobenzamidine-sensitive protease(s) only acrosin may function to accelerate this process. Although the acrosin-deficient sperm penetrated the zona pellucida (Baba et al., J. Biol. Chem., 269, 31845-9, 1994), the addition of p-aminobenzamidine to the fertilisation medium caused a significant inhibition of fertilisation in vitro. This indicates that there is a p-aminobenzamidine-sensitive protease(s) other than acrosin participating in the zona penetration step. Indeed, we demonstrated that a non-acrosin protease with a size of 42 kDa was present in the supernatant of the acrosome-reacted sperm suspension. The enzyme was inhibited by p-aminobenzamidine, diisopropyl fluorophosphate and N alpha-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone, and was apparently activated by acrosin.

[A case of accessory spleen presenting as retroperitoneal tumor]

We report the 13th case of accessory spleen in the retroperitoneum in the world literature. A 53-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of lassitude. Laboratory studies revealed significant anemia. Several imaging studies revealed a large retroperitoneal tumor (70 x 63 x 48 mm) in the medial aspect of the lower pole of the left kidney. The tumor was supplied arterially from the first and second lumbar arteries. Since the tumor adhered tightly to the left kidney, the kidney was resected as well as the tumor. The tumor was very hemorrhagic. On histological examination, the tumor exhibited a structure typical of splenic tissue. The retroperitoneal accessory spleen is very rare, and the literature on it is reviewed here.

[Clinical efficacy and reduction effect on prostatic volume of chlormadinone acetate combined with tamsulosin hydrochloride in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients insufficiently treated with tamsulosin hydrochloride only]

Alpha adrenergic blocker has become the first choice in the medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The efficacy of alpha adrenergic blocker has been suggested to be related to the prostatic tissue components, and to be ineffective in treating the clinical symptoms caused by BPH in some cases. The efficacy and prostate reduction of an anti-androgenic agent, chlormadinone acetate, combined with alpha adrenergic blocker, tamsulosin hydrochloride, were evaluated using 40-BPH patients insufficiently treated with tamsulosin hydrochloride alone. Fifty mg of chlormadinone acetate and 0.2 mg of tamsulosin hydrochloride were administered orally once a day for 16 weeks to patients with a prostate subjective symptoms score, I-PSS, of greater than 13 or a peak flow rate of less than 12 ml/s, even after the treatment with 0.2 mg of tamsulosin hydrochloride alone for more than four weeks. Total I-PSS decreased significantly after four weeks. The total irritative symptom score did not change for 16 weeks, but the total obstructive symptom score decreased significantly, as did the total I-PSS. In objective data, the estimated volume of both total prostate and the transition zone on transrectal ultrasonogram decreased significantly at the end of the treatment, and the peak flow rate decreased significantly after 12 weeks. These findings suggest that the addition of chlormadinone acetate may be a reasonable alternative in the treatment of BPH patients responding insufficiently to tamsulosin hydrochloride alone, and that combination therapy using chlormadinone acetate and tamsulosin hydrochloride may be useful for BPH patients with serious obstructive symptoms.

Beta-casomorphin-5 stimulates neurite outgrowth in a mouse neuroblastoma cell line (Neuro-2a)

We studied the effect of beta-casomorphin-5 (mu-acting opioid peptides derived from milk protein beta-casein) on neurite outgrowth of mouse neuroblastoma cell line, Neuro-2a. Beta-casomorphin-5 stimulated neurite outgrowth of Neuro-2a cells in a naloxone-reversible manner. The stimulating effect of beta-casomorphin-5 was observed even at picomolar concentrations. The selective mu-agonist, (D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5-ol)-enkephalin (DAMGO) exhibited the similar stimulating effect only at micromolar concentrations. On the other hand, (D-Pen(2,5))-enkephalin (DPDPE) (a delta-agonist), U-50,488 (a kappa-agonist), and endogenous opioid peptides, such as enkephalins and dynorphin A (1-13), showed no such stimulating effect. These results suggest that the neurite outgrowth-stimulating action of beta-casomorphin-5 may be mediated via a receptor which has mu-like characteristics and high sensitivity to beta-casomorphin-5, and that beta-casomorphins may play a role as a neurite elongation factor during the suckling period.

[Apoptotic changes after pressure-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat retina]

50 eyes of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 60 minutes of pressure-induced ischemia, then fixed for light and electron microscopy with no reperfusion, or reperfusion after 30 minutes, 1, 2 or 4 hours, and 1 or 3 days from the time ocular ischemia was relaxed. The TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) method revealed apoptotic signs at the inner retina as early as 1 hour after reperfusion. However, the incidence of apoptotic signs with the TUNEL method did not accord with the results of electron microscopic examination. During the time after the reperfusion started, especially after more than 4 hours, apoptotic signs became obvious and extended from the inner to the outer retina. These apoptotic findings could be seen with both the TUNEL method and electron microscopy. By 3 days after the reperfusion, necrotic cells in the ganglion cell layer, and the inner and outer nuclear layer became more prominent than apoptotic cells. These results may provide a baseline for therapeutic strategy and the prognosis of ischemia-reperfusion injury in the retina.

Tissue-specific involvement of multiple mitochondrial DNA deletions in familial mitochondrial myopathy

It is still uncertain how deleted mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is distributed to each tissue during development, although deletions of mtDNA have been extensively observed in various pathologic conditions. This paper presents two Japanese siblings with progressive external ophthalmoplegia exhibiting multiple mtDNA deletions. In one patient, similar multiple mtDNA deletions were found in skeletal muscle specimens as well as in the spinal cord but not in the myocardium, liver or leukocytes. A similar deletion pattern was found in the skeletal muscle but not in the leukocytes of the other patient. The results suggest the complex mechanism to generate, expand and eliminate the deleted mtDNA in humans.

Inactivation of human manganese-superoxide dismutase by peroxynitrite is caused by exclusive nitration of tyrosine 34 to 3-nitrotyrosine

Peroxynitrite has recently been implicated in the inactivation of many enzymes. However, little has been reported on the structural basis of the inactivation reaction. This study proposes that nitration of a specific tyrosine residue is responsible for inactivation of recombinant human mitochondrial manganese-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) by peroxynitrite. Mass spectroscopic analysis of the peroxynitrite-inactivated Mn-SOD showed an increased molecular mass because of a single nitro group substituted onto a tyrosine residue. Single peptides that had different elution positions between samples from the native and peroxynitrite-inactivated Mn-SOD on reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography were isolated after successive digestion of the samples by staphylococcal serine protease and lysylendopeptidase and subjected to amino acid sequence and molecular mass analyses. We found that tyrosine 34 of the enzyme was exclusively nitrated to 3-nitrotyrosine by peroxynitrite. This residue is located near manganese and in a substrate O-2 gateway in Mn-SOD.

Acrosin accelerates the dispersal of sperm acrosomal proteins during acrosome reaction

Using homologous recombination, we have previously produced male mice carrying a disruptive mutation (Acr-/-) in the acrosin gene. Although Acr-/- mouse sperm lacking the acrosin protease activity still penetrated the zona pellucida and fertilized the egg, the mutant sperm exhibited a delay in penetration of the zona pellucida solely at the early stages after insemination. To further elucidate the role of acrosin in fertilization, we have examined the involvement of acrosin in the acrosome reaction of sperm using the Acr-/- mutant mice. When the ability of sperm to adhere (attach) and bind to the zona pellucida of cumulus-free eggs was assessed in vitro, no significant difference was observed among Acr+/+, Acr+/-, and Acr-/- mouse sperm. Immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that the release of several acrosomal proteins from the acrosome of Acr-/- mouse sperm was significantly delayed during the calcium ionophore- and solubilized zona pellucida-induced acrosome reaction, despite normal membrane vesiculation. These data indicate that the delayed sperm penetration of the zona pellucida in the Acr-/- mouse results from the altered rate of protein dispersal from the acrosome and provide the first evidence that the major role of acrosin is to accelerate the dispersal of acrosomal components during acrosome reaction.

Inactivation and destruction of conserved Trp159 of Fe-superoxide dismutase from Porphyromonas gingivalis by hydrogen peroxide

The superoxide dismutase (SOD) of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an obligate anaerobe, was purified from Escherichia coli (sodA sodB mutant) harboring the P. gingivalis SOD-encoding gene. The purified protein contained both iron and a small amount of manganese. Iron- and manganese-reconstituted SOD, which contained one of these metals exclusively, showed specific activities of 1000 and 1200 U/mg/mol of metals/subunit, respectively. These values were similar to the specific activity of the native enzyme purified from the recombinant E. coli strain. The Fe-reconstituted enzyme was inactivated by 10 mM hydrogen peroxide to about 5% of its original activity after a 15 min incubation at 25 degrees C at pH 7.8, whereas the Mn-reconstituted enzyme showed no inactivation after 80 min. A concomitant increase in absorbance at 320 nm was observed with inactivation of the Fe-reconstituted enzyme. Amino acid analysis of the inactivated Fe-reconstituted enzyme showed a decrease of about 0.7 residues of tryptophan/subunit, a value similar to the iron content of the iron-reconstituted enzyme. Three major peptides of the digests of the purified SOD with lysylendopeptidase were separated by a reverse-phase HPLC monitoring at 280 nm. One of the peptides, corresponding to the residues from Gly149 to Lys176, decreased in the HPLC eluent of the H2O2-inactivated SOD to 20% of the amount measured for native SOD. Since this peptide contains only one tryptophan residue, it was concluded that the decomposed tryptophan residue is Trp159, which is located midway between the third and fourth metal ligands, Asp157 and His161, and is conserved in aligned amino acid sequences of all known Fe-SODs and Mn-SODs. Based on these results, we propose that the differences in hydrogen peroxide sensitivities observed for the Fe-SODs and Mn-SODs may be caused by the difference in the identity of the active site metal in the Fe-SODs and Mn-SODs and a tuning of the properties of the iron center in the Fe-SODs.

Effect of monoclonal anti-human gp130 antibody (GPX7) on bone turnover in normal and ovariectomized rats

We examined the effects of a monoclonal antihuman gp130 antibody (GPX7), which is known to inhibit interleukin-6 (IL-6) and leukemia inhibitory factor-mediated responses in human cells on the bone metabolism in normal and ovariectomized (OVX), 7-month-old, Wistar rats for 8 weeks. After confirming the cross-reactivity of the antibody in suppressing the IL-6-mediated proliferation of rat liver cells, GPX7 was injected once a week at doses of 1 (low dose) or 4 (high dose) mg/kg body weight (BW). In the lumbar body, bone mineral density values and the trabecular bone volume (BV/TV) were maintained in the GPX7 groups. The values of the trabecular osteoclast surface and number in the GPX7 high-dose group were significantly smaller than those in the OVX controls. The double-labeled surface and bone formation rates in the GPX7 high-dose group were significantly increased. In the proximal tibia, however, the bone mineral content and BV/ TV values in the GPX7 groups were smaller, but the trabecular thickness value in the GPX7 high-dose group was larger than in the OVX control. The single-labeled surface in the GPX7 high-dose group was significantly larger than that in the OVX control rats. Though the parameter values of trabecular osteoclasts were apparently smaller, the differences were not significant. 17-beta estradiol (0.125 mg/kg BW a week) administration prevented the bone loss by reducing the parameters of bone formation and resorption in both the lumbar and the proximal tibia. The antibody administration to the normal rats did not cause any significant changes in the parameters of bone mass and turnover. These data demonstrate that while GPX7 modulates the bone turnover after ovariectomy in rats, it does not compensate for the action of estrogen after ovariectomy in rats.

[Aging of macular function as seen in multifocal electroretinograms]

Multifocal electroretinograms were recorded from 32 eyes of 32 young and aged healthy volunteers to investigate the change in electrophysiological functions with age in the central, nasal, temporal, superior, and inferior retina. The amplitude and latency of the first negative and positive waves were analyzed statistically in correlation with age. In all regions, amplitudes of focal responses tended to diminish with age. There was significant inverse correlation between amplitude and age in the central retina at 2 and 8 degrees, but no significant correlation was found in the other regions. These facts suggest that the macular retina tends to show functional deterioration with age when compared with other retinal areas.

Enantiomeric separation of d-/l-norepinephrine and -epinephrine by high-performance liquid chromatography with a beta-cyclodextrin type chiral stationary phase

Enantiomeric separation of d-/l-norepinephrine (NE) and d-/l-epinephrine (E) was investigated with various mobile phases by high-performance liquid chromatography using a beta-cyclodextrin type chiral stationary phase as a chiral column. The mobile phase of 2.5 M phosphate buffer (pH 3.0) gave separation factors (alpha s) of 1.04 and 1.06 for NE and E, respectively.

Parallel stimulations of in vitro and in situ [35S]GTPgammaS binding by endomorphin 1 and DAMGO in mouse brains

Metabotropic activities of endomorphin 1, a candidate for endogenous mu-opioid receptor ligands, were examined in comparison with the actions of [D-Ala2, N-Me-Phe4, Gly5ol]-enkephalin/DAMGO, a well-known synthetic mu-opioid agonist. Endomorphin 1 stimulated [35S]GTPgammaS binding to synaptic membranes from the mouse amygdala in a naloxone-reversible manner. DAMGO had the same effect in such preparations. In in situ [35S]GTP-gammaS binding experiments using brain sections, both endomorphin 1 and DAMGO similarly stimulated this binding in specific cellular locations throughout the brain regions. These findings strongly support the view that endomorphin 1 selectively acts on a mu-opioid receptor.

F1 alpha: a novel mucin antigen associated with gastric carcinogenesis

In a previous study, we obtained a novel monoclonal antibody (F1 alpha-75) directed against a synthetic mucin antigen termed F1 alpha, and demonstrated that this antigen was expressed in a high percentage (80.2%; 89/111) of gastric carcinomas. In the present study, we compared the expression of F1 alpha with that of sialyl-Tn antigen, a mucin antigen similar to F1 alpha, in 54 human early gastric carcinomas, intestinal metaplasia and adenomatous polyps of the stomach to determine how differences in the expression of these antigens correlated with gastric carcinogenesis. The rate of expression of F1 alpha in early gastric carcinoma tissues, 81.5%, was higher than that of sialyl-Tn antigen, 57.4%. No correlation was found between the rate of expression and histological type, depth of cancerous invasion or lymph node metastasis. Sialyl-Tn antigen was extensively expressed in 77.5% of specimens of complete intestinal metaplasia and in 78.6% of those of incomplete intestinal metaplasia; however, the expression of F1 alpha in those specimens was rare and sporadic, with rates of only 25.0 and 27.7%, respectively. In adenomatous polyps, the rate of expression of F1 alpha is 6.25% and that of sialyl-Tn antigen is 43.8%. Our findings indicate that F1 alpha is a more specific antigen for gastric cancer than sialyl-Tn antigen, and that F1 alpha is an antigen associated with carcinogenesis of the stomach.

[Clinical evaluation of tamsulosin hydrochloride on bladder outlet obstruction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia: effect on urethral pressure profile and cystometrogram]

The efficacy and safety of tamsulosin hydrochloride were evaluated in 54 patients with bladder outlet obstruction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Oral tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.2 mg was administered once daily for 7 weeks. The international prostate symptom score, residual urine, uroflowmetrogram, urethral pressure profile and cystometrogram were obtained before and after treatment. The international prostate symptom score improved significantly, and the residual urine volume and ratio of residual urine decreased significantly. In uroflometry, voided volume, maximum flow rate and average flow rate increased significantly. In urethral pressure profile, prostatic urethral pressure decreased significantly. In cystometry, bladder capacity at the first sensation increased significantly. No adverse reactions except for slight elevation in laboratory data in 3 patients were observed. In conclusion, tamsulosin hydrochloride is a useful drug in the treatment of bladder outlet obstruction associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Concentration of levofloxacin in cervical mucus and its clinical effects on cervicitis

An investigation was made on the concentration of levofloxacin (LVFX) in cervical mucus and its clinical effects on cervicitis. The results were as follows: 1) The concentrations of orally administered LVFX in the cervical mucus of 110 subjects were determined by HPLC. During 1-4 hour after the administration the mean concentration of LVFX in the cervical mucus reached a level of 2 micrograms/g, which was higher than the serum level. The transfer of LVFX to the cervical mucus was almost the same as that to other genital organs. 2) When LVFX was given to 102 patients at a dose of 100-200 mg, t.i.d for 4-5 days and the efficacy was evaluated with clinical improvement, the clinical efficacy rate of LVFX was 72/102 (70.6%). Significant bacteriological effects were observed in 70/73 (95.9%), especially, the disappearance rate of C. trachomatis was 18/18 (100%). 3) The administration LVFX did not cause any subjective or objective side effects and any abnormalities were not detected in the laboratory test done in this study. These results demonstrate that LVFX can be sufficiently transferred to the cervical mucus for the treatment of cervicitis due to the infection of C. trachomatis etc.

[Protective effect of nitric oxide on ischemic retina]

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and was regarded as noxious to life. But recent studies show that NO is an important substance for transcellular signal transduction. It also seems to act as a neurotransmitter in the nervous system. In ischemic nerve tissue a release of glutamate is one of the critical factors that increase neuronal death, and some experiments suggest that NO may be involved in this process. Here we provide evidence that NO provides neuroprotection in ischemic retinas in vivo. Albino rabbits' eyes were subjected to 60 minutes of ischemia by raising intraocular pressure. Before ischemia the eyes were treated intravitreously with the NO-precursor L-arginine, the NO synthase-inhibitor nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), the NO-donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or solvent only. The amplitude of the b-wave was measured and the recovery ratio of the b-wave was analyzed hourly after reperfusion. The recovery ratio of b-wave in the eyes with L-arginine and with SNP increased more rapidly than in the controls, while the recovery ratio in the eyes with L-NAME increased in a way similar to that of the controls. These results suggest that NO plays a neuroprotective role in ischemic retina. It may be involved with S-nitrosylation of some proteins, including one of the glutamate receptors, the N-methyl-D-aspertate (NMDA) receptor.

Separation of 18 6-aminoquinolyl-carbamyl-amino acids by ion-pair chromatography

Eighteen 6-aminoquinolyl-carbamyl (AQC)-amino acids were separated by ion-pair chromatography, using tetrabutylammonium (TBA) as a counterion. Optimum separation was obtained on a C8 reverse-phase column using gradient elution with two mobile phases, A (5 mM TBA, 75 mM ammonium acetate, pH 7.5) and B (80% acetonitrile). The AQC-amino acids were detected by fluorescence with excitation at 250 nm and emission at 395 nm, and the analysis time was 65 min. The response factors of individual AQC-amino acids to AQC-phenylalanine ranged from 0.42 to 1.08 (except for tryptophan at 0.01), with an average of 0.8. Detection limits by fluorescence ranged from 11.8 fmol (threonine) to 51.7 fmol (methionine), except for tryptophan (1.8 pmol).

How are macular changes reflected in pattern visually evoked cortical potentials?

To investigate the macular contribution to the amplitude and latency of pattern visual evoked cortical potentials (PVECPs), we recorded PVECPs in patients with unilateral macular disease (retinal diseases involving the macular region) and optic neuritis. We selected patients with visual acuities better than 0.3, which is thought to be the minimum acuity to provide clearly discernible responses. The visual stimulus was a checkerboard. We varied the check size in 4 steps as 7, 14, 28, and 56 min of arc, and the contrast was 20% or 80%. The amplitude of the sinusoidal wave of steady-state VECPs (12 Hz) and the P100 component of a transient VECP (3 Hz) were measured. Significant attenuation and delay of PVECPs in the affected eye were found in the macular disease group. Macular disease may cause an increase of VECP latency. However, VECP seemed to be a more sensitive test of optic nerve disease than of macular disease, when patients had similar visual acuities.

Isolated 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency in a 15-year-old girl

A 15-year-old girl with a former clinical diagnosis of cerebral palsy was found to have isolated deficiency of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase (MCC) on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis and enzyme determination. Her symptoms included marked growth retardation from birth, profound mental retardation, tonic seizures, rigospastic quadriplegia with opisthotonic dystonia, gastroesophageal reflux with poor esophageal peristalsis, and recurrent episodes of aspiration pneumonia. Brain MRI revealed marked brain atrophy, involving both the gray and white matter. Although she did not exhibit acute metabolic decompensation or acute encephalopathy, her neurological symptoms continuously worsened. This patient is the oldest among reported cases of MCC deficiency who had symptoms at birth, and this case may have the severest sequelae of the longest known natural course of this inborn error of metabolism.

The structure of Silurus asotus (catfish) roe lectin (SAL): identification of a noncovalent trimer by mass spectrometry and analytical ultracentrifugation

We identified a noncovalent trimer of Sirurus asotus roe lectin (SAL) at Mr 95,362 along with its monomer at M(r) 31,750 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry when SAL was dissolved in 0.5% acetic acid, sprayed into the ion source with methanol as a sheath liquid, and desolvated at 75 degrees C in a heated capillary column. The molecular weight of SAL, determined by the sedimentation equilibrium method, was 95,200 and the sedimentation coefficient (S20,w) of SAL in water was 5.58. SAL existed as a noncovalent trimer in solution and showed the ability to agglutinate rabbit erythrocytes. SAL showed three peaks (sal 1, sal 2, and sal 3) by C8 reverse-phase HPLC, and these appeared to be a monomer, a dimer, and a trimer, respectively, by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry, sal 1 and sal 2 were shown to have a structure interchangeable with that of sal 3 in water.

Presence of Turner stigmata in a case of dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism with 45,X/46,X+mar karyotype

A case is reported of dysgenetic male pseudohermaphroditism (DMPH) having Turner stigmata and 45,X/46,X+mar karyotype. The marker chromosome of this patient consisted of most if not all of the short arm, including the sex determining region of the Y chromosome. Although this karyotype is relatively common in Turner's syndrome and occasionally observed in mixed gonadal dysgenesis, DMPH is usually exemplified by a 46,XY karyotype except for one patient reported with 45,X/46,XY mosaicism. Turner stigmata have not previously been reported in DMPH. The present patient is an intermediate case between mixed gonodal dysgenesis and typical DMPH, and this indicates that 45,X/ 46,X +mar karyotype abnormality can result in a wide range of phenotype such as DMPH, mixed gonodal dysgenesis and Turner's syndrome.

[Epidural anesthesia for herniorrhaphy in a patient with severe dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) under pimobendan control]

A 60-year-old man with severe DCM was scheduled for a herniorrhaphy under epidural anesthesia using fentanyl. Three months prior to operation, the patient suffered heart failure associated with life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. The former was successfully treated with pimobendan as the main constituent of medication, but the latter was not responsive to various antiarrhythmic drugs with the exception of aprindine. On the day of operation and for two days postoperatively, pimobendan was administered daily. A sudden drop in systemic blood pressure and central venous pressure (CVP) during anesthesia, as well as the tendency to hypotensive status in the postoperative period were well regulated with continuous infusion of dopamine and dobutamine via CVP catheter probably due to the effect of up-regulation of pimobendan, together with adjustment of the volume of intravenous fluids. No dangerous ventricular arrhythmia were observed. Thereafter the patient made uneventful progress and was discharged on the 8th postoperative day.

Transient sick sinus syndrome associated with immunoblastic lymphadenopathy

We describe a very rare case of immunoblastic lymphadenopathy (IBL) accompanied with a sick sinus syndrome (SSS) in a 64-year-old male. SSS presented with progression of the IBL and subsided with improvement of the IBL following high dose prednisolone (PSL) therapy. The clinical course of this patient strongly suggested cardiac involvement in IBL and being the cause of the transient SSS. To our knowledge, this is the first case of IBL demonstrating SSS as a possible complication of the disease. This case may provide further information for the treatment of similar patients with IBL.

[Sensitivity loss in short wavelength sensitive cones in myopic eyes]

To investigate early changes of visual function in high myopic eyes, the relative sensitivity of the short-wavelength sensitive cones (s-cones) was measured by flash-evoked cortical potentials and electroretinograms and their relation with refractive error and axial length of the eyes was studied. A Ganzfeld stimulus was employed. The subjects were all under 37 years of age and were divided into 3 groups according to the magnitude of the refractive error as follows; 1) emmetropia/low myopia group (10 eyes), between +0.50 D and -3.00 D; 2) medium myopia group (8 eyes), between -3.25 D and -6.00 D; and 3) high myopia group (10 eyes), over -6.25 D. Their corrected visual acuities were better than 1.0 and their color vision was normal according to Panel D-15 and SPPII. They had no other ophthalmological abnormalities except tigroid fundus. The s-cone sensitivity was significantly correlated with the refractive error and axial length (p < 0.001) and was reduced prior to ophthalmoscopic retinal changes in the medium and high myopia groups. This indicates that the site of s-cone sensitivity loss in myopia is in the retinal.

Optical resolution of phenylthiohydantoin-amino acids by capillary electrophoresis and identification of the phenylthiohydantoin-D-amino acid residue of [D-Ala2]-methionine enkephalin

This is an initial report to propose a protein sequence analysis system with DL differentiation using capillary electrophoresis (CE). This system consists of a protein sequencer and a CE system. After fractionation of phenyl-thiohydantoin (PTH)-amino acids using a protein sequencer, optical resolution for each PTH-amino acid is performed by CE using some chiral selectors such as digitonin, beta-escin and others. As a model peptide, [D-Ala2]-methionine enkephalin (L-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-L-Phe-L-Met), was used and the sequence with DL differentiation was determined, with the exception of the fourth amino acid, L-Phe, using our proposed system.

An assessment of pain and return to normal activity. Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy vs open tension-free Lichtenstein repair

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is controversial and deserves critical evaluation.

METHODS

In a randomized prospective study transabdominal preperitoneal laparoscopic herniorrhaphy (n = 24) was compared in patients to the tension-free Lichtenstein repair (n = 29) utilizing validated and reliable pain and activity assessment tools. The Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) was used to compare preoperative normal activity to postoperative activity. A Pain-O-Meter (visual analogue scale plus affective and sensory pain descriptors) assessed intensity of pain. The total pain assessment score and SIP were compared across time (postoperative day 1-42). Analgesic medication was used as a covariate.

RESULTS

The total pain score was less for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy but this did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, the SIP showed modest improvement for laparoscopic herniorrhaphy. No differences between groups were noted for morphine equivalents of administered analgesics or length of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Further investigation of laparoscopic herniorrhaphy is warranted.

mtDNA polymorphism in East Asian Populations, with special reference to the peopling of Japan

Nucleotide sequences of the major noncoding (D-loop) region of human mtDNA from five East Asian populations including mainland Japanese, Ainu, Ryukyuans, Koreans, and Chinese were analyzed. On the basis of a comparison of 482-bp sequences in 293 East Asians, 207 different sequence types were observed. Of these, 189 were unique to their respective populations, whereas 18 were shared between two or three populations. Among the shared types, eight were found in common between the mainland Japanese and Koreans, which is the largest number in the comparison. The intergenic COII/tRNA(Lys) 9-bp deletion was observed in every East Asian population with varying frequencies. The D-loop sequence variation suggests that the deletion event occurred only once in the ancestry of East Asians. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that East Asian lineages were classified into at least 18 monophyletic clusters, though lineages from the five populations were completely intermingled in the phylogenetic tree. However, we assigned 14 of the 18 clusters for their specificity on the basis of the population from which the maximum number of individuals in each cluster was derived. Of note is the finding that 50% of the mainland Japanese had continental specificity in which Chinese or Koreans were dominant, while < 20% of either Ryukyuans or Ainu possessed continental specificity. Phylogenetic analysis of the entire human population revealed the closest genetic affinity between the mainland Japanese and Koreans. Thus, the results of this study are compatible with the hybridization model on the origin of modern Japanese. It is suggested that approximately 65% of the gene pool in mainland Japanese was derived from the continental gene flow after the Yayoi Age.

Molecular and functional properties of cytochrome c from adult Ascaris suum muscle

Mitochondrial cytochrome c was isolated at high purity from adult Ascaris suum muscle and its molecular properties were investigated. The molecular weight of A. suum cytochrome c was determined to be 13,119 by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The oxidation-reduction potential of nematode cytochrome c was measured to be +248 mV; this value is comparable to those for cytochrome c from mammalian sources. The A. suum cytochrome c, like bovine heart cytochrome c, showed biphasic kinetics against bovine heart cytochrome c oxidase. Comparative kinetic studies revealed species-specificity in the reaction between cytochrome c and cytochrome c oxidase from A. suum and bovine sources. The cytochrome c content in mitochondria was highest at the second larval stage, in which the respiratory chain is the most aerobic among various developmental stages of A. suum. These data clearly show that adult A. suum cytochrome c, as isolated, is a bona fide substrate for cytochrome c oxidase in the aerobic respiratory chain of second-stage larvae.

Sensitive detection of near-infrared fluorescent dyes using high-performance liquid chromatography with peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence detection system

The highly sensitive detection of four near-infrared (near-IR) fluorescent dyes, methylene blue, pyridine 1, oxazine 1 and 3,3'-diethylthiadicarbocyanine iodide (DTDCI) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with post-column peroxyoxalate chemiluminescence (PO-CL) detection utilizing bis(4-nitro-2-(3, 6,9-trioxadecyloxycarbonyl)phenyl) oxalate (TDPO) and hydrogen peroxide was examined. The detection limits for methylene blue, pyridine 1, oxazine 1 and DTDCI were 120, 27, 31, 0.19 fmol on-column at a signal-to-noise ratio of 2, respectively. The sensitivity for DTDCI was 250 times that obtained by HPLC with the conventional fluorescent detection.

Determination of the 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid in human serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

We developed a simple and sensitive assay for the 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (excitation at 340 nm, emission at 450 nm). The compound under study in serum samples was extracted with Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and the extract was applied to an octadecylsilane-bonded column (Nucleosil 5C18, 150 x 4 mm I.D.). The mobile phase used was a mixture of 0.05 M sodium acetate buffer (pH 6.0), containing 5 mM sodium 1-octanesulfonate and 0.1 mM Na2EDTA, and acetonitrile (93:7, v/v). The 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid from serum samples was sufficiently separated to be clearly distinguishable. The quantification limit was 2 x 10(-14) mol, which was sensitive enough to detect 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid in serum from normal subjects. The method was applied to samples from patients with deficiency in tryptophan metabolism, xanthurenic acid/3-hydroxy kynurenineuria and showed a striking elevation in serum 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid.

Studies on the mechanism of early onset macular degeneration in cynomolgus monkeys. II. Suppression of metallothionein synthesis in the retina in oxidative stress

Initial investigations done in this laboratory detected increased albumin and decreased glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase concentrations in the retina of an animal model manifesting early onset macular degeneration. Both glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and albumin are markers of oxidative stress in cells. In this study, we used the same animal model to study further biochemical and physiological processes which may be involved in the pathogenesis of early onset macular degeneration in monkeys. We detected 60% lower catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the affected retinas suggesting lower antioxidant activities and oxidative stress. One of the consequences of oxidative stress is the production of metallothionein, a low molecular weight protein also induced by high concentrations of heavy metals such as zinc. Metallothionein was detected by RT-PCR in these monkey retinas. However initial quantitative PCR studies on this protein showed that the synthesis of metallothionein in affected retinas appears to be less than in normal controls. The affected retinas also showed a fourfold lower zinc concentration compared with the normal controls. No significant difference, however, could be detected in the zinc concentrations in plasma samples. Since induction of metallothionein synthesis is mediated by transcription factors which require heavy metals such as zinc for binding to specific sites in the DNA, the lowered zinc concentration may, thus, correlate with the lowered metallothionein expression. And since metallothionein is suggested to function as a free radical scavenger, the lowered metallothionein synthesis may consequently contribute to increased peroxidation reactions in the affected retinas. It appears therefore, that oxidative stress and the decreased metallothionein synthesis may be involved in the pathogenesis of early onset macular degeneration in this animal model.

Studies on the mechanism of early onset macular degeneration in cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys. I. Abnormal concentrations of two proteins in the retina

Cynomolgus (Macaca fascicularis) monkeys from three families, which showed symptoms of early onset macular degeneration was studied. Two proteins, albumin and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, were found to have markedly altered concentrations in whole retina of the monkeys with early onset macular degeneration, compared with normal controls. SDS-polyacrylamide gel patterns detected a 40-70% increase in the concentration of albumin and about 65% decrease in the concentration of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in these affected retinas. There was however no significant difference in the relative concentrations of albumin in the plasma samples of affected and normal monkeys belonging to the three families studied and to an unrelated family. These initial findings suggest that degradative as well as antioxidant enzymes might be involved in the mechanisms leading to macular degeneration. In addition, the results also correlate with a possible role of these two proteins in H2O2 toxicity and appear to indicate that oxidative stress is significant in the etiology of early onset macular degeneration.

Color-coded pattern suppresses visual evoked cortical potentials and electroretinograms

We developed a new visual stimulating system for recording visual evoked cortical potentials and electroretinograms. The stimulus was a color checkerboard, in which each check kept its chromaticity but changed its luminance with its corresponding check. Color-coded pattern stimuli using red and green checks did not produce visual evoked cortical potentials, while yellow checks produced clear responses in a normal subject. Moreover, five color stairs from red and green to yellow showed only that the more colors are different, the smaller the visual evoked cortical potentials become. In addition electroretinogram recordings indicated that color-coded patterns behave in the same way as in visual evoked cortical potentials. The mechanism that causes the small color visual evoked cortical potentials may already be present in the retina. Color perception may be able to induce a suppression of responses for luminance contrast that appears to be formed already in the retina. Retinal responses were affected whether the stimulus field was color coded or not. Pattern electroretinograms appear to be more than the sum of local on and off responses.

[Clinical and electrophysiological studies on posterior retinitis pigmentosa]

On the basis of fundus appearance and angiographic fundus pictures, 48 cases of posterior retinitis pigmentosa were divided into pericentral type (20 cases), perimacular type (21 cases), and macular type (7 cases). We compared the 3 groups clinically and electrophysiologically. Visual acuity and visual field were progressively deteriorated in half of the cases of pericentral type two years after the initial visit. The waveform of flash electroretinogram (ERG) was negative in the pericentral type, subnormal in the perimacular type, and normal in the macular type. These ERG findings suggest that the rod function was more severely damaged in the pericentral type than in the other types. Contrary to the ERG findings, the pattern-evoked cortical potential was normal in the pericentral type, and we assumed there is less damage of the foveal function in the pericentral type.

Hereditary spherocytic anemia with deletion of the short arm of chromosome 8

We describe a 30-month-old boy with multiple anomalies and mental retardation with hereditary spherocytic anemia. His karyotype was 46,XY,del(8)(p11.23p21.1). Genes for ankyrin and glutathione reductase (GSR) were localized to chromosome areas 8p11.2 and 8p21.1, respectively. Six patients with spherocytic anemia and interstitial deletion of 8p- have been reported. In these patients, severe mental retardation and multiple anomalies are common findings. This is a new contiguous gene syndrome. Lux et al. [1990: Nature 345:736-739] established that ankyrin deficiency and associated deficiencies of spectrin and protein 4.2 were responsible for spherocytosis in this syndrome. We reviewed the manifestations of this syndrome. Patients with spherocytic anemia and multiple congenital anomalies should be investigated by high-resolution chromosomal means to differentiate this syndrome.

[A HBV carrier with fulminant hepatitis complicated by ATL, multiple myeloma and thyroid cancer]

A 75-year-old female, born in Tochigi Prefecture, was admitted because of lumbago in August of 1991. The leukocyte count was 11,800/microliters with 22.5% atypical lymphocytes. We demonstrated a lymphocyte surface marker, ATL-associated antigen, and proviral DNA. We also identified 2.60 g/dl of serum monoclonal protein, found to be IgG, lambda type, and punched out lesions in the skull. We made a diagnosis of ATL. She was also a HBV carrier. The patient was treated with a modification of CHOP therapy, because of increasing atypical lymphocytes in the peripheral blood in November of 1992. She died of acute hepatitis, suddenly, in March of 1993. Autopsy revealed multiple myeloma, fulminant hepatitis and occult thyroid cancer in addition to ATL.

[Ecological treatment of bacterial vaginosis]

Ecological treatment of bacterial vaginosis with a Lactobacillus (yoghurt) was studied, and the following results were obtained. 1. A total of 11 women aged 20 to 60 with bacterial vaginosis were treated with intravaginal application of 5 ml of commercial yoghurt (pH 4.3 +/- 0.2). The effect of the treatment was evaluated 3 days after administration by monitoring the vaginal discharge and bacteriological assessment. 2. The clinical improvement was evaluated and the decreases of vaginal discharge and vaginal redness were significant and vaginal pH was lowered significantly also (P < 0.05). In the vaginal discharge 29 strains of bacteria were detected, but 3 days after administration, all 14 strains of Gram-negative bacteria disappeared. As for the overall bacteriological effects, 6/11 cases (54.5%) were eradicated. 3 cases were partly eradicated, 2 cases were replaced. These findings indicated that the Lactobacillus therapy was effective in both clinical and bacteriological responses.

Determination of 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid in human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography

We developed a simple and sensitive assay for the urinary 8-methyl ether of xanthurenic acid (XA-OMe) by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (excitation at 340 nm; emission at 450 nm). Urine samples were diluted with 0.03 M potassium phosphate buffer (pH 6.0) and applied to an octadecylsilane-bonded column (Nucleosil 5C18, 150 x 4 mm I.D.). The mobile phase used was a mixture of this same buffer and acetonitrile (1000:140, v/v). Both direct injection of urine and solvent extraction prior to HPLC were tested and showed a good correlation and sensitivity, although the peak of XA-OMe was occasionally less distinguishable from close peaks in urine from normal controls by the direct injection method. The quantification limit was 5 x 10(-14) mol which was sensitive enough to detect XA-OMe in urine from normal subjects. The method was applied to samples from patients with a deficiency in tryptophan catabolism, xanthurenic acid/3-hydroxykynurenine-uria and showed a striking elevation in urinary XA-OMe excretion.